Quercus myrtifolia
Photo by Shirley Denton. Photograph belongs to the photographer who allows use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
8A 8B 9A 9B
2002-2022, Copyright Florida Native Plant Society
Myrtle Oak
Fagaceae
Plant Specifics
| Size: | 5 to 30 ft | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Fruit Color: | Brown | |
| Phenology: | Evergreen. Blooms early spring (inconspicuous). Fruits ripen the second fall. | |
| Habitats: | Scrub, scrubby flatwoods, scrubby sandhill. |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Forms a thicket with many sprouts from spreading roots | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun, Part Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
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| Moisture Tolerance: | Not wet but not extremely dry ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray Tolerance: | Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil/Substrate: | Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wildlife
Small mammals use the acorns.
Provides significant food and cover for wildlife.
The acorns are utilized by squirrels.
An important food source for the Florida scrub-jay as the tannins in the nuts help it remain edible through the winter; scrub-jays may also use it for nesting and perching
Larval host for Horace's duskywing (Erynnis horatius), red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) and white-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) butterflies.
Possible larval host for Juvenal's duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) and oak hairstreak (Fixsenia favonius) butterflies.